Daniel Paladini

2014 (Crew):Made four appearances -- including three starts -- at midfield before undergoing season-ending leg surgery on September 16 to repair a fractured tibia and fibula following an injury in training ... was listed as questionable ahead of the match at D.C. (March 8) and missed the match against Philadelphia (March 22), at Seattle (March 29) and against Toronto FC (April 5) while recovering from a left knee arthroscopy ... was upgraded to questionable ahead of the match at San Jose (April 13) and traveled but did not dress ... dressed for the Crew’s road match against Sporting Kansas City (May 4), but did not play ... made his Crew debut as a substitute in the central midfield in the match at Houston (May 7) ... made his first start of the season in place of the suspended Federico Higuain in the match at Toronto FC (May 31) ... started at attacking midfield against Sporting Kansas City (July 16) ... started the club’s international friendly against Crystal Palace FC (July 23) at central attacking midfield, scoring a goal in the 80th minute that leveled the match at two … returned to the lineup in a start against Chivas USA in the holding midfield role (September 7) ... did not dress for the club’s postseason opener against New England (November 1) or in the second leg at the Revolution (November 9) ... Paladini made one appearance -- a start at central midfield -- in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ... he started in the 2-1 win over Indy Eleven in the Fourth Round (June 17), but was issued a red card in the 110th minute and was forced to miss the Fifth Round match at Chicago (June 25) while serving a one-match tournament suspension.

2013 (Chicago Fire): In 2013, Paladini made 20 appearances and set a new career high in assists (three) and his pair of goals matched his previous high, set in 2012. He registered a goal and two assists, including the game-winner in a 3-1 win over the eventual Supporters’ Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls (April 7).

2012 (Chicago Fire): In his second season in Chicago, Paladini appeared in 15 matches, starting in seven, scoring two goals and adding two assists over 691 minutes. He assisted on Austin Berry’s 72nd minute goal in a 2-1 loss at Columbus (May 26) and scored his first goal of the season in the 44th minute of a 4-2 loss at D.C. (August 22). He scored his second consecutive match in the 18th minute of a 3-1 win against Houston (September 12). He later assisted on Sherjill MacDonald’s second goal in the 78th minute of a 2-0 win at New York (October 6). Paladini made one MLS Cup Playoffs appearance, entering in the 75th minute of the Fire’s 2-1 loss to Houston in the Eastern Conference Knockout Match (October 31). In the club’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run, he wore the captain’s armband in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Michigan Bucks (May 29). He started and played 68 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa FC (July 21) and played the second half of the 2-2 draw against Club Santos Laguna (September 8). In MLS Reserve League action he started five matches for the Fire, scoring one goal over 397 minutes and scored the first goal in the 39th minute in a 3-1 win over Colorado (August 15).

2011 (Chicago Fire): In his return to Major League Soccer Paladini played 23 matches -- including 16 starts -- over 1491 minutes, setting MLS career season highs following two seasons with the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He recorded one assist on Marco Pappa’s ninth minute goal in a 3-0 victory at Real Salt Lake (September 28). In Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, he appeared and started in five of the team’s six Open Cup matches, tallying two assists. Both assists in Open Cup action came against the New York Red Bulls (July 12), assisting on Dominic Oduro’s seventh minute strike and Yamith Cuesta’s 48th minute header in a 4-0 rout. He started and went 80 minutes in the final, a 2-0 loss at SEA (October 4). He appeared in both club international friendly matches, starting and going 88 minutes in a 3-1 loss vs. Manchester United (July 23) and came on as a halftime sub in a 1-0 loss versus. Chivas de Guadalajara (September 14).

2010 (Carolina RailHawks): In his second season with the Carolina RailHawks, he played 34 matches, finishing second on the team in goals (seven) and leading the team in assists (five). He earned a second consecutive selection to the USSF Division 2 Best XI and helped the RailHawks to the NASL Conference regular season championship and a runner-up finish in the League playoffs.

2009 (Carolina RailHawks): Paladini appeared in 28 matches, tallying five goals and four assists for the Carolina RailHawks of NASL. He was named an All-League Best XI midfielder as he helped the club to a second place regular-season finish.

2008 (Chivas USA): Paladini appeared in eight matches, scoring one goal with Chivas USA. He made his MLS debut on May 11, 2008 in a substitute appearance and made his first MLS start on May 17, 2008. He scored his first professional goal in the 31st minute of a 3-1 win at Toronto FC (September 6).

2007 (San Fernando Valley Quakes): In 2007, he played in 14 matches, scoring three goals, helping the USL Premier Development League’s San Fernando Valley Quakes to its first-ever playoff appearance.

2006 (LA Galaxy): Paladini was selected by the LA Galaxy in the Second Round (24th overall) of the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. He spent the year with the side, but did not appear in a first-team match.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Paladini was named All-Big West Second Team as a sophomore at Cal State Northridge and made back-to-back All-Big West First Teams as a junior and senior. In 2005, he was the Big West Midfielder of the Year, and ranks among Northridge’s all-time leaders in matches played (78) and assists (19).

ACQUIRED

Paladini’s MLS rights were traded to the Crew from the Chicago Fire on December 12, 2013 in exchange for a 2014 Fourth Round SuperDraft pick. He signed with the Crew on December 20, 2013.

PERSONAL

Paladini is the son of Ramon and Lisa. He enjoys golfing, playing paintball and hanging with his girlfriend in his off-season spare time. A fan of spending time with his nieces and nephews – Addison, Caleb and Cade – Paladini also enjoys going to the movies in his free time. He lists his go-to movie as “Step Brothers” and enjoys all types of flicks. Among the most memorable concerts he’s ever been to, U2 and Bonnaroo are at the top of the list. His favorite vacation destination is Hawaii and would most like to travel to the Maldives. Scoring a goal in the 80th-minute – off of a free kick – remains his favorite soccer memory while he was a member of the Fire in a 2013 match against Portland. A fan of Barcelona – as well as the playing skills of Xavi and Iniesta – Paladini also cheers for the Los Angeles Lakers. He lists his parents as his role models. Paladini has several tattoos on his right arm, all religious artwork, and he notes that it took more than 20 hours to complete. He looks up to the historical figure, John F. Kennedy. Paladini was given the nickname D by a teammate when he was younger. His sister, Michelle, is married to former Crew – and current Sporting Kansas City midfielder – Josh Gardner.